TfL Ref: FOI-2393-1617

Thank you for your email received by Transport for London (TfL) on 2 March 2017 asking for information about station closures in the City of Westminster.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm we do hold the information you require.

Please find the requested information attached for the London Underground stations you listed in the City of Westminster. Please note that this includes details of all unplanned full station closures with the reasons listed against each closure. Where both the ‘closure start time’ and ‘closure re-open time’ fields are marked grey, this indicates the station did not open at all on that day. Where only the ‘closure re-open time’ time is grey, this indicates that the station did not reopen that day.

We understand that it is absolutely essential for our customers that we provide the services they expect when they expect them – our Tube system carries around 1.35bn passengers annually. We are therefore working hard to ensure that station closures are kept to an absolute minimum.

Across the network, station closures have been reduced by around a third compared to five years ago, but we fully recognise there is more to do and are working to drive this down further.

We have recently experienced some unforeseen staff absence, and it has not always been possible to provide staff cover at short notice. This has caused certain less busy stations including Temple to be closed, while we keep busier stations such as Blackfriars open. In addition, there was industrial action (in the form of an overtime ban) by union members. Good progress is being made on resolving staffing issues at Temple and at other locations on the network. As a result of the most recent review of station staffing levels and discussion with its Trade Unions, we are creating 325 new customer service roles. The dispute that led to the overtime ban is also now at an end.

We recently identified a problem with the lift machinery at Regent’s Park, which had been causing the lifts to stall. This fault is now being corrected and we expect the incidence of station closures as a result of lift faults to fall.

Please note that, in accordance with the FOI Act, we have removed the station names for ‘person under train’ incidents, as it is subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information under section 38(1)(a).

In this instance the exemption has been applied as disclosure of the information you have requested could lead to an increased number of suicide attempts on our network. The Samaritans have published guidance regarding reporting of information in relation to rail suicides which you can find here: http://www.samaritans.org/sites/default/files/kcfinder/files/press/Samaritans%20media%20factsheet%20-%20rail%20suicides.pdf.

The use of this exemption is subject to an assessment of the public interest in relation to the disclosure of the information concerned. We recognise the need for openness and transparency by public authorities, but in this instance we feel that ensuring the protection of vulnerable people, passengers and staff puts the balance in favour of withholding the information.

If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for some reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.

Yours sincerely

Lee Hill
Senior FOI Case Officer

FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London